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From Oxford Journals - Reumatology:
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1 - Pulsed low-intensity ultrasound therapy for chronic lateral epicondylitis: a randomized controlled trial
Abstract & Full Text: http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/45/5/566.abstract
Summary: The results of a 12 week, daily, "randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial...[assessing] the effectiveness of [low intensity ultrasound] vs placebo therapy in patients...with [tennis elbow] concludes that the placebo group recovered 7% more from baseline than the active group.
Conclusion: "In this study [low intensity ultrasound] was no more effective for a large treatment effect than placebo for [tennis elbow]."
2 - A prospective double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial of ultrasound in the physiotherapy treatment of shoulder pain
Abstract & Full Text: http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/46/5/815
Summary: "221 participants (mean age 56 yrs) / 113 participants randomized to Ultra Sound & 108 to placebo Ultra Sound." Using points in SDQ scores, "there were no statistically significant differences at the 5% level in mean changes between groups at any of the time points."
Conclusion: "The addition of US was not superior to placebo US when used as part of a package of physiotherapy in the short-term management of shoulder pain. This has important implications for physiotherapy practice."
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From Journal of The American Physical Therapy Association:
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3 - A Review of Therapeutic Ultrasound: Effectiveness Studies
Abstract & Full Text: http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/81/7/1339.full?sid=0a46404f-af4a-48a1-a237-cb76159c049a
Summary: There was little evidence that active therapeutic ultrasound is more effective than placebo ultrasound for treating people with pain or a range of musculoskeletal injuries or for promoting soft tissue healing. The few studies deemed to have adequate methods examined a wide range of patient problems. The dosages used in these studies varied considerably, often for no discernable reason.
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4 - A Review of Therapeutic Ultrasound: Biophysical Effects
Abstract & Full Text: http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/81/7/1351.full?sid=9d206a6c-6a1f-498a-b140-111069e2ae37
Summary: This review indicates that the biophysical effects of ultrasound are unlikely to be beneficial. This conclusion is based on the absence of evidence for a biological rationale for the use of therapeutic ultrasound.
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From The Cochrane Review:
(internationally recognised as the highest standard in evidence-based health care)
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5 - Therapeutic ultrasound for acute ankle sprains (Cochrane Review). In. The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2006. Oxford
Abstract & Full Text: http://www.sld.cu/galerias/pdf/sitios/rehabilitacion-fis/therapeutic_ultrasound_for_acute_ankle_sprains.pdf
Summary: The extent and quality of the available evidence for the effects of ultrasound therapy for acute ankle sprains is limited. The results of four placebo-controlled trials do not support the use of ultrasound in the treatment of ankle sprains. As yet, only few trials are available and no conclusions can be made regarding any optimal dosage schedule for ultrasound therapy, and whether such a schedule would improve the reported lack of effectiveness of ultrasound for ankle sprains.
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From Journal of The American Physical Therapy Association:
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6 - Adding Ultrasound in the Management of Soft Tissue Disorders of the Shoulder: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Abstract & Full Text: http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/84/4/336.full?sid=9d206a6c-6a1f-498a-b140-111069e2ae37
Summary: In this study, there were no significant differences between the Sham Ultrasound group and the True Ultrasound group.
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7 - Exposure to Low Amounts of Ultrasound Energy Does Not Improve Soft Tissue Shoulder Pathology: A Systematic Review
Abstract & Full Text: http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/90/1/14.full?sid=60ef1ce1-f882-4621-bbdb-435aee79ebc2
Summary: "Current research involving ultrasound treatment protocols that delivered low levels of ultrasound energy do not adequately address whether ultrasound can improve outcomes for shoulder disorders. Determining whether therapeutic ultrasound can affect soft tissue shoulder pathologies will require further research and systematic reviews that involve appropriate ultrasound treatment protocols."
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8 - Ultrasound Therapy of Subacromial Bursitis: A Double Blind Trial
Abstract & Full Text: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3511478
Summary: Double blind techniques were used successfully in our pilot study to determine the therapeutic value of ultrasound in the treatment of SSA. Of the multiple variables tested (ROM, pain, function), no apparent benefit appeared from receiving ultrasound. A large-scale, randomly controlled, and blinded study of ultrasound is warranted. Such a study would determine whether the use of US for SSA is justified clinically. Perhaps our pilot study will serve to initiate other clinical studies to validate US and other modalities used in physical therapy.
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9 - A Survey of Therapeutic Ultrasound Use by Physical Therapists Who Are Orthopaedic Certified Specialists
Abstract & Full Text: http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/87/8/986.full?sid=60ef1ce1-f882-4621-bbdb-435aee79ebc2
Summary: This study maintains how orthopaedic Certified Specialists use ultrasound because "Ultrasound continues to be a popular adjunctive modality in orthopedic physical therapy. These findings may help researchers prioritize needs for future research on the clinical effectiveness of US."
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From Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma:
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10 - Efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound and exercise therapy in the management of osteoarthritis of knee joint
Abstract & Full Text: http://www.ajol.info/index.php/njotra/article/view/48300
Summary: Not a big enough group in this study, in my opinion, and for this reason I almost did not include it. "Twelve (7 females and 5 males) patients with chronic osteoarthritis > 3months duration...This study confirms that therapeutic ultrasound is of no additional benefit to exercise therapy in the management of chronic osteoarthritis."
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Note: This was a legitimate study that I could find that supports Ultrasound Therapy, and it is very good. Since dentists effectively use ultrasound technology to clear tooth plaque, it would be reasonable that ultrasound could help decalcify.
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From US National Library of Medicine:
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Abstract & Full Text: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10332014
Summary: In patients with symptomatic calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, ultrasound treatment helps resolve calcifications and is associated with short-term clinical improvement.
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Copyright © 2011, All Rights Reserved
doesultrasoundtherapywork.blogspot.com
(Last Updated: 8/27/2011)
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